![Noradrenaline breakdown](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/Noradrenaline_breakdown.svg)
The metanephrines are a group of molecules consisting of
metanephrine
Metanephrine (metadrenaline) is a metabolite of epinephrine (adrenaline) created by action of catechol-O-methyl transferase on epinephrine. An article in the ''Journal of the American Medical Association'', 2002, indicated that the measurement of ...
and
normetanephrine
Normetanephrine is a metabolite of norepinephrine created by action of catechol-O-methyl transferase on norepinephrine. It is excreted in the urine and found in certain tissues. It is a marker for catecholamine-secreting tumors such as pheochromo ...
.
An article in the ''
Journal of the American Medical Association
''The Journal of the American Medical Association'' (''JAMA'') is a peer-reviewed medical journal published 48 times a year by the American Medical Association. It publishes original research, reviews, and editorials covering all aspects of bio ...
'', 2002, indicated that the measurement of plasma free levels of metanephrines is the best tool in the diagnosis of
pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma (PHEO or PCC) is a rare tumor of the adrenal medulla composed of chromaffin cells, also known as pheochromocytes. When a tumor composed of the same cells as a pheochromocytoma develops outside the adrenal gland, it is referred t ...
, an adrenal medullary
neoplasm
A neoplasm () is a type of abnormal and excessive growth of tissue. The process that occurs to form or produce a neoplasm is called neoplasia. The growth of a neoplasm is uncoordinated with that of the normal surrounding tissue, and persists ...
.
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References
Phenol ethers
Phenylethanolamines
Tumor markers
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